Is a Computer essential kit?

[DiveProKoko]

These are the sorts of dives where a computer is absolutely pointless. The divers are just following the guide’s profile. The guide plans the dive for the gas limits really probably Has don3 it a hundred times before, they could probably leave their computer at home too.

Totally agree, for shallow-ish guided diving, which is why most do it simply for insurance purposes. If the underwriters think it's safer, unfortunately that's what matters. However, there are many operators with guides in the water, that do not require the divers to follow the DM's profile and can dive on their own with the caveat of being on the boat in an hour or so. Liveaboards come to mind. All the liveaboards I know of require computers as do several a charters I've been on that have no DM on board and are simply a ride out to the site.

 

[Centrals]

All the liveaboards I know of require computers as do several a charters I've been on that have no DM on board and are simply a ride out to the site.

Location and location.
Of all the LoB that I have been from Maldives to Philippines ie. in SE Asia, DM is always provided as part of the service.
As for the requirement for dc, I believe it is up to the operator.
What happened if the diver turns up without one? I only experience was in GBR over 23 yrs ago, table was limited to 18m max unless planned the dive with the 'Wheel" and approved by the dive manager.

 

[Bob DBF]

One practical issue is that a watch and depth gauge or a bottom timer may cost more than a computer

One can pick up a new dive watch for $15 or so, and if he didn't get a depth gauge with his reg set, he can probably pick a second hand one cheap, if not free, as they are not used as much as they once were.

 

[boulderjohn]

I did my first dives after certification nearly a quarter century ago in Cozumel, where the law requires you to follow a divemaster. I just pulled out my first log book and saw that my first non-training dive was on Santa Rosa wall, diving on air to a maximum depth of 90 feet, with a bottom time of 38 minutes--that does not include the final ascent and safety stop. Back on the boat, I pulled out my log book and tables so I could do exactly as trained--calculate my pressure group and prepare for the next dive. I saw then that my maximum bottom time according to the tables was 25 minutes, so I was completely off the tables already. What should I do? I looked up and saw everyone else on the boat looking at me with bemused smiles. One of them pointed to the tables in my hand and said "it makes a decent Frisbee."

So I finished the week blindly following the DM and trusting he would not get me bent. As soon as I was home, I bought a computer.

A few years later, again diving in Cozumel, I went with an operator (Aldora) that required computers on its dives. They were using steel HP 120 tanks, and it was not unusual for them to do dives to 90-100 feet or more that last over 80 minutes. I always did them on EANx 32, but there were many on air. In fact, in the first years I dived with them, almost everyone used air for those deeper dives. You could do dives to that depth and that time and still stay within NDLs because they were multi-level dives, and everyone was using computers that could deal with multi-level dives.

Earlier in this thread, Mac64 said that any multi-level, NDL dive could be planned using tables or the rule of 120. Challenged to do that, his solution was to have the diver use EANx 40 in violation of standard PPO2 limits and treat it as a flat profile dive. Even a EANx 40 dive to 100 feet has a limit of about 40 minutes on PADI tables. He never once showed how to do a multi-level dive using tables.

 

[Chavodel8en]

For the immediate future, as far as I can tell, I will be limited to diving and exploring the local coastline. All dives will be shore based with a maximum of 4 dives per weekend sometimes less depending on weather and conditions. Local depths range between 8 - 15 meters but suggested the maximum of 18 meters to be conservative.
I acknowledge that most divers use dive computers but from what I can gather air supply will be the factor limiting the time under water.
I will probably get a computer later on but for now tables will suffice.
Just need to educate my buddies more.

Years ago I had a computer that died, and decided not to replace it. Like you, I was only diving local shallow shore dives. I had a depth gauge from the used reg/console i was using. Bought a $20 watch and dived the tables for a good 3 years or so. There are a few local sites where I could get deeper, but that was now now off limits for me (actually, your limits are pretty much what my limits were). A bit of a loss not getting to those sites, but oh well.

However, when I had a Hawaii trip planned, I bought a cheap $200 computer. Couldnt have dove some of the wrecks and other sites otherwise without greatly limiting my time.

Enjoy your diving!

 

[Chavodel8en]

One can pick up a new dive watch for $15 or so, and if he didn't get a depth gauge with his reg set, he can probably pick a second hand one cheap, if not free, as they are not used as much as they once were.

Yup, as per my experience above.

 

[scubadada]

OK, this thread has been going on for 225 replies now.

I was certified in 1970 and dived Navy tables for 10 years with a watch, a capillary depth gauge and a J-valve. I bought a SPG after 2 years.

A dive computer is a routine piece of equipment now. Nobody wants to dive air or nitrox tables. Who would not want to take advantage of the multilevel diving?

 

[scrane]

 

[andvaka]

I'm a new diver, but this is something I've thought about. Do you NEED a computer? No. Is it a useful piece of kit, yes. You can get a decent computer for under $300, and under $400 if you want a little fancier. If you can afford it, why not get it? There's a lot of reasons posted here about whether you need it, and quite a few posted about why you might want it, but not many (if any) about why a computer isn't useful and that you wouldn't ever want one.

A computer is useful and if you can afford it, get one. It likely will make a number of things easier and better, but its not generally essential.

 

[Boofymac]

Thanks for all the replies and feedback.
As funds are limited and I need to buy my first setup I am opting to purchase a digital spg/depth gauge console that includes a dive timer (Cressi Digi 2) whilst saving for a dive computer.
This setup is a good fit between quality/accuracy/affordability and will get me in the water.